Photos Credit: Priti Prakash
As I enter the iron gate of this seven storied modern complex which was housing residential accommodation rented out to people a couple of years back but later got vacated through a court order, by the owner Colonel Mickie Uberoi, (a non legal person), to build a dream ‘home’ that would serve as an orphanage, a place for disabled women, and an old age home, the sight of children playing around, excited to have visitors over, greeting them in their innocent ways, in a way better to many homes that grow naturally, was a realization of how one’s attitude that we call aim or vision can change society and individuals both. Despite many good people pledged to a similar thought, Colonel Mickie is different.
He has invested all his life earnings, even borrowing from his wife, relatives and friends to build this orphanage. He is still in debt. But for his dream mission, he’s unmoved.
Conceptually GHAR is the creation of a joint family with three generations – daughters, mothers and grandparents and their bonding as we have in our own families.
Col Mickie says, ‘Girls of the age of 6-18 years who are in need of care and protection are taken care of by us. These include orphans who have no one to look after them, abandoned children, street children found without parents, children of sex workers who are vulnerable, children of single parents who are unfit and incapacitated to care for and protect their children, abused children and the like.’ It is home to 28 girls.
It is their ‘maika’. Even after they move out from here after attaining 18 years, we will continue supporting them like parents, says Col Mickie.
Ask them and somebody wants to become a Police Officer, somebody a doctor, another a pilot and the other an air hostess. As per Col Uberoi the exposure to the world outside in the form of visits creates aspirations in the children.
Col Mickie says the girls are going to the best schools of Pune, the likes of Army School, and some in renowned private ones. The day rolls out with Tuition after school, games in the evening, special coaching for skilling them as per their interests be it music, sports, dance, drama, anything.
They are taken out on educational tours to see the world for themselves to get a first hand experience. These children have performed at some of Pune’s renowned institutions too, informed Col Uberoi.
Ghar has a dedicated medical facility where doctors visit on philanthropic basis. Medical Specialists from the Army have volunteered to do it for free. However, anyone can donate or sponser a child’s health too besides sponsoring for a child’s education or even a meal.
No food from outside is accepted at GHAR. A well operated and clean kitchen runs for all meals at the premises with women cooks and helper didi’s.
The children address all staff and elders as Didi’s or Dadi’s like in an ideal family.
Discipline is the first thing that is taught to the children as they enter GHAR. To ensure that, its the senior girls and the Didi’s that train the younger ones.
Each girl child has a story behind her. But what’s noticeable is that every child here is a happy child. Weaving dreams, bonding with each other, under the assured guardianship of Colonel Uberoi and his team of dedicated staff these children are ready to take wings like any other child.
Do see my indepth and an interesting interview with Col Mickie Uberoi on the link: https://youtu.be/fg6pYtFZc7w
